Made In Factory Seconds Oval Dutch Oven – Hand-Enameled Cast Iron, Made in France

I own a Le Creuset and honestly can't tell the difference in performance. This oval Dutch oven braises short ribs like a dream and the enamel interior still looks brand new after months of use. I hunted for the factory-second flaw and found only a tiny bubble in the exterior enamel near the base. At $67.50 this is arguably the best value in cookware right now.

Holds heat beautifully and the oval shape fits a whole chicken perfectly. The knob on the lid got a little warm but handled a 300-degree braise fine. Very happy.

Gorgeous color, flawless in function. My defect is truly minor.

I've been making my mother's beef bourguignon for thirty years and this pot handles it better than the old one. The cast iron distributes heat so evenly that the meat falls apart at the fork every time. Cleanup is simple — a soak and a soft sponge. It's heavy, as all good Dutch ovens are, and the handles are comfortable even with mitts. My daughter has already claimed it in my will, so I may need to buy her one too. At 55% off, I can afford to.

Performance-wise it's five stars — even heating, tight lid, beautiful braise. But mine has a noticeable chip on the rim of the lid. Since it was sold as a second, I can't complain too loudly, just know the flaw may be more than cosmetic.

This is the kind of pot you pass down. The hand-enameled finish is smooth and rich, and it made the most tender pot roast I've ever produced.法国-made and it shows.

Cooks beautifully and cleans easily. The one thing to know: it is heavy. Moving it full of braising liquid from stove to oven requires two hands. Otherwise flawless.

My factory second has a slight warp in the lid rim so it rocks a bit. Cooking still works but the tight seal I expected isn't there. Fine if you get a good one, I guess.

After using the first one for a month, I ordered two more as gifts. Nobody who received one could find the 'second' in factory seconds. The French craftsmanship is evident in every detail from the handles to the interior enamel. Best cookware deal I've found in years.